To assess water and wastewater system’s response and experiences related to the first 4 ½ months of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Rural Water Association of Utah reached out to all of Utah’s drinking water and wastewater systems. 203 systems responded to our survey during the period of July 14 through July 28, 2020. Systems could respond anonymously if they wished.
The lessons learned during this opening period of response will be important so that the water and wastewater sectors may identify what worked and what might need to be changed as the response continues. Lessons learned also need to be incorporated into planning for future emergencies. The information will hopefully also assist our partners in response – state and federal agencies – in knowing how they can help support and assist this service which is so essential to our communities.
Data time frame: 07/14-07/2
Number of Responses: 203
Count of Population Served
More than 10,000
0Less than 500
0500-10,000
0Has your system had employees contract COVID-19?
How many employees contracted COVID-19?
of those that answered yes
Did the illness affect your operations?
of those that answered yes
Yes
0Systems
No
0Systems
Has your system experienced supply chain problems?
What items were you unable to access or secure?
Of those that answered yes. The answers below are a summary of the responses
Are you requiring your staff to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
What safety measures have you implemented?
Of those that answered yes. The answers below are a summary of the responses
Have you had adequate amounts of PPE?
What items have been in short supply?
Of those that answered no.
Has your system participated in the RWAU/FEMA free mask distribution?
Has your system relaxed past due or shut off policies?
Have you seen a reduction in Revenue?
Yes
0Systems
No
0Systems
In what amounts have you seen a reduction in revenue?
Of those that answered yes. The answers below are a summary of the responses
What changes has your system experienced in water demand?
Has your system limited public access to buildings and offices?
Have you made any permanent changes to your operations procedures based on what you have learned?
What changes have you made?
Of those that answered yes. The answers below are a summary of the responses
- Some meetings held online.
- Wider implementation of technology such as smartphones.
- Decrease in public meetings with customers.
- Heavy use of E-mail and telephone communication.
- Frequent hand washing
- All employees and public must have their temperature taken prior to entry.
- Remote meetings.
- Some work from home.
- Staggering start times.
- Seperating staff into groups to prevent everyone from getting sick.
- Increased sanitation of public areas.
- Plexiglass at front counters.
- Social Distancing.
- Working with one customer at a time.
- PTO for those sick and verified by a doctor
- Mask Requirement